Police are targeting people they think are out to commit crime and violence ahead of the Notting Hill Carnival.

The London-wide crackdown has led to police discovering a firearm, ammunition, drugs machetes, just days before the 50th carnival takes place on August 28-29.

Officers are executing over 200 warrants across London as part of Operation Vitality - the intelligence-led operation designed to keep the carnival safe for both those attending and those taking part in the celebration.

So far, 55 people have been arrested as part of the operation, including five people in Lambeth who were picked up for possession of Class A drugs, and a further two for possession of Class B drugs. Around £2,000 in cash was also seized.

In Barnet, four people were arrested after a firearm was recovered, while another raid on the same borough saw two suspects arrested on suspicion of possession of ammunition and possession with intent to supply Class B drugs.

Operation Vitality - the intelligence-led operation designed to keep the carnival safe, also led to the discovery of a firearm, ammunition and drugs

And officers seized two machetes from an address in Camden.

Operation Vitality runs in tandem with the Met’s Trident Gang Crime Command which provides enhanced intelligence, enforcement and diversion activity for the most harmful gang members in London.

Superintendent Robyn Williams, the Met’s spokesperson for Notting Hill Carnival, said: “Well over one million people attend the Notting Hill Carnival every year; given these huge numbers, crime is low.

“This week’s policing activities are not exclusive to carnival. Pre-event arrest operations are conducted in relation to a variety of major public events across London throughout the year.”

He continued: “It is only right that we take steps to deter and reduce crime at every opportunity both prior to and during what has become the centre piece in the Capital’s event diary.”

In addition to the warrants, officers from across the capital are carrying out more than 550 activities aimed at disrupting potential disorder ahead of the weekend, including weapons sweeps, ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) operations, visits to gang nominals, knife crime leaflet drops and youth engagement.

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Officers are being supported by specialist police teams including Task Force, the Trident and Area Crime Command, Safer Neighbourhoods teams, Dog Units, Roads Policing; as well as colleagues from the City of London Police.